The Knicks Thread....

[Andrew]

I disagree that it would purely be for PR/marketing purposes. While that might not hurt, Lin has legitimate talent and a seemingly bright future in the league. Linsanity may have seen some people get carried away and the bar set too high, but he's not a fluke. At a reasonable price, he'd be a solid pickup for a lot of teams.

[NovU]

I can agree that he can play at a high level but his marketability I think will make teams chase him with more dollars than his actual worth right now.

[Jeffx]

Knicks have the same problem as the Heat. Our top-heavy payroll will make it hard to add quality depth and turn NY into a serious contender.

[Andrew]

Nash would 'definitely consider' Knicks

All-Star point guard Steve Nash, an unrestricted free agent, said Wednesday that he would weigh an offer from the New York Knicks, should they choose to make one.

"The Knicks are a great franchise and I live in New York City (each summer), so I'd definitely consider them if they were interested," the Phoenix Suns' mainstay said at a promotional appearance in Manhattan.

The Knicks, however, will be hampered in free agency. Because they likely will lose out in early-bird rights arbitration, which hasn't been decided yet, they'll only have veterans' minimum contracts to offer free agents. And that's if Jeremy Lin and Steve Novak don't re-sign, which is highly doubtful.

Still probably a long shot, but at the very least it seems he's open to the possibility. With Nash running the team, Amar'e and Melo might just work out, plus you've got some other serviceable players. That doesn't make them a lock for a title or anything, but a team that the rest of the league couldn't exactly sleep on either.

[Jeffx]

Andrew, the Knicks are light years away from being championship caliber. They don't have the talent to beat Miami. Our best player isn't on the same level as the Heat's best player.

[Andrew]

Absolutely. If Nash were to come to town though, that's a team that should fare reasonably well all the same.

[NovU]

I like the sound of it. Chandler immediately will benefit from having Nash and perhaps Amare as well despite his knee concerns.

[Jeffx]

Another great draft pick by the Knicks.

[_Steve_]

Another great draft pick by the Knicks.

Would have been a perfect match for the Raptors on their way to an full non-american roster.

[George7]

Kostas Papanikolaou is a great choice for the Knicks,I can assure you. He is a great SF with an above average all around game. If the Knicks manage to work with him and improve him, when he decides to join them,I can see him becoming a Kukoc-like player. He will be great coming of the bench, and he's the most talented Greek rising star now. A personal favourite in Olympiacos.

[NovU]

What's the word on Lin these days?

I hear Melo shed 12 pounds and working out really hard with Chandler everyday while Amare is to visit Hakeem. The team looked to be motivated after somewhat disastrous 11/12 season. Something good to look forward to for the Knicks fans.

[Jeffx]

If we lose Iman Shumpert for a 38 year old pg(who'll only play a couple of years), I may turn in my Knicks fan card. Knicks can't be serious about a sign & trade for Nash involving Shump. They always do this shit with their young players.

[Andrew]

I reckon Nash could probably play for another five years at a high level. Ideally they wouldn't have to give up someone like Shumpert for him but it wouldn't be the worst deal they ever made. Sounds like there's a decent chance of him going to the Raptors anyway, though.

What's the word on Lin these days?

He's been granted Early Bird status, so the Knicks can basically match offers for him (and reportedly intend to do so). It's not like he's going to get a $100 million contract, I have a feeling he'll be worth the investment.

[NovU]

If we lose Iman Shumpert for a 38 year old pg(who'll only play a couple of years), I may turn in my Knicks fan card. Knicks can't be serious about a sign & trade for Nash involving Shump. They always do this shit with their young players.

Seems like they're working on that deal as of right now. S&T for Nash. For something like close to 30 millions for 3 years of his service? If this turns out to be true, look to trade your Knicks fan card for Bobcats one. At least things can't get any worse over there.

Actually, I think this is a fine experiment for the Knicks. Nash is older but still capable and was great with Amare before. Now that he also has Chandler as well, it's another big that he can pass to, and rely on defense. Makes me wonder though, where Lin would find his place in this big mess.

[Jeffx]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

I don't want fucking Steve Nash if it means losing Shumpert!!! It makes no fucking sense!! This is the eastern conference - who do the Knicks have to guard perimeter players??? Another bonehead move by a bonehead franchise. Newsflash - Knicks aren't beating Miami with or without Nash as long as Lebron is there.

I can't stand the Knicks anymore.

[Lamrock]

I think it's a good move for New York. They certainly would have enough talent to be a top-tier team and Nash could improve that offense while Tyson anchors the still-solid D.

Thing about Shumpert is he's coming off of an ACL injury. As a Portland fan, I wouldn't want any part of him right now.

[Jeffx]

Like I said before, who's guarding wing players? This move makes the Knicks worse defensively in a conference with Miami, Boston, Indiana and Chicago(with a healthy Rose). Tyson Chandler can't cover for everyone - let's get real here.

Biggest reason the Knicks haven't won shit since 1973 - clueless moves by the front office.

[NovU]

But the Knicks are in win-now mode even without this trade anyways. It'd be nice to be able to wait for Shumpert to turn out a star or some kind of difference maker but it seems to me it's reasonable to upgrade the team regardless which teams are in the conference. Perhaps I am bit biased in Nash's value but I think he's a great pick up for the Knicks if it does go down. Improve or sit around and hope for the best likely by overpaying Lin or some other players available.

[Jeffx]

It's a moot point - Nash signed with the Lakers, thank goodness. Let's be honest, Knicks weren't beating Miami with Nash. They're a flawed, dysfunctional team and Carmelo can't hold Lebron's jock. Harsh but true.

[graybakflip]

knicks were a better team before they have carmela(amare vanished when he got there), IMHO..and also, 'bout shump, now that fields is likely to be traded, it's only him that i can see who can defend the perimeter on their team..remember how he locked-down rose last season?i think he's the only one who can do that..even MVP2 nash is a great player, he can't make this knicks team a lot more better..maybe if d'antonnie was still the headcoach, they might be..

[benji]

Jared Dubin ‏@JADubin5

Knicks could have offered the Suns some draft picks too if they hadn't included all of them from now to eternity in the Melo trade.

Howard Beck ‏@HowardBeckNYT

Cruel twist for Knicks: That trade exception L.A. used to obtain Nash? It was created in Tyson Chandler trade, then sent to LA in Odom deal.

Knicks gonna Knick.

[Andrew]

Jared Dubin ‏@JADubin5

Knicks could have offered the Suns some draft picks too if they hadn't included all of them from now to eternity in the Melo trade.

Howard Beck ‏@HowardBeckNYT

Cruel twist for Knicks: That trade exception L.A. used to obtain Nash? It was created in Tyson Chandler trade, then sent to LA in Odom deal.

Knicks gonna Knick.

Ouch.

[graybakflip]

sad to say they would have to overpay lin now, oh wait they're in the hunt for? felton?! c'mon

[Jeffx]

knicks were a better team before they have carmela(amare vanished when he got there), IMHO..and also, 'bout shump, now that fields is likely to be traded, it's only him that i can see who can defend the perimeter on their team..remember how he locked-down rose last season?i think he's the only one who can do that..even MVP2 nash is a great player, he can't make this knicks team a lot more better..maybe if d'antonnie was still the headcoach, they might be..

The Knicks pre-Carmelo weren't going anywhere either. Now I wanted Carmelo here, but like Donnie Walsh, I was willing to play chicken with Denver and wait until July. Walsh had a plan to get Anthony while keeping his chips. Dolan got nervous, overruled Walsh, blew up the plan, gave away the chips to get Anthony and forced Walsh out. And that's where we are today.

Now what do the Knicks do with Lin? If they match, their salary cap is fucked. All that money for a dude who's still unproven? IMO, he's a backup at best.

[koberulz]

Melo's behaviour, to me, made it pretty clear he was going to sign an extension either way, to ensure it came under the then-current CBA, but was trying to manipulate Denver into believing he wouldn't do so for them.